02 Nov
Project Description
Description: Oil on canvas, 35.6 x 54 cm. Signed with initials and dated 'W.B.R/1889.' (lower right)Catalogue note: Sir William Blake Richmond was a portrait painter, sculptor and a designer of stained glass and mosaic. He is best known for his portrait work and decorative mosaics in St Paul's cathedral in London. These works caused much controversy, and were criticized by those who claimed that mosaics were not part of English tradition and had no place in the cathedral. Richmond was influential in the early stages of the Arts and Crafts Movement in his selection of bold colours and materials for the Cathedral mosaics and in his collaboration with James Powell and Sons, glass makers, in creating new colours and materials. This new material expanded the glassmaker's palette and was favoured by artists of the Arts and Crafts Movement, primarily in the creation of stained glass windows and decorative art work. Richmond was the Slade Professor of Fine Art at the University of Oxford from 1878 to 1883, succeeding his friend and mentor John Ruskin.
Provenance: Acquired from Christie’s, Sale 15506, Lot 98, Invoice no. DB18012519. With Peter Nahum, London. | The Isabel Goldsmith-Patiño family; Christie's, London, 7 June 2007, lot 24, where purchased by the present owner
Catalogue no.: 2018P0086-SWBR
